The Vampire's Love (6 page)

“Faren - “

“Shut it,
Val.”  Faren said harshly.  “I didn’t know Joven but I’ve heard the
rumours.  He’s not known for his kindness to his slaves.  If I’ve
heard the rumours, then so has Darius and if you do anything out of character,
it’s going to make him suspicious.  The only way this is going to work is
if Darius believes you’re Joven, so be Joven for God’s sake!”

He said the
last of this in a soft little mutter as voices were heard outside the carriage
door.  It was pulled open and a dark-haired vampire with light blue eyes
and a large, red birthmark covering the entirety of his left cheek, peered in.

“My name is
Tavien.  Welcome, Joven.”

“Thank
you.”  Val nodded.  He pointed to Faren.  “This is Faren. 
He is a close friend.”

“Welcome,
Faren.”  Tavien’s gaze swept over Abby before he stepped back. 
“Come, Darius is anxious to meet you.”

He glanced
up at Wesley and Evan who were standing next to the horses.  “Your men may
drive your carriage to the stables.  They will be fed and shown to the
slave quarters, and our slaves will bring your things to your room.”

Val stood
and taking Abby roughly by the wrist, led her out of the carriage.  She
blinked in surprise at the large stone castle that loomed in front of
them.  It towered into the night sky and she strained to see the top of it
in the dark.  The yard and surrounding areas were lit with torches, and
she followed Val in the flickering light to the entrance of the castle. 

Without
speaking, Tavien led the three of them into the castle.  The walls were
covered in bright tapestries and as they moved down the corridor, Abby peeked
into the rooms they passed.  They were filled with large and heavy-looking
pieces of wooden furniture, their surfaces gleaming dully in the torchlight,
and she could feel a touch of claustrophobia setting in despite the wideness of
the corridor.

She took a
deep breath and Val gave her a quick look as they stopped in front of a large
door.  He squeezed her wrist, whether it was meant to be reassuring or a
warning she wasn’t sure, as Tavien opened the thick wooden door.

They
followed him into the dimly-lit room and Abigail glanced around
curiously.  Like the others, this room was filled with furniture but it
was mostly heavy, plush couches and chaises.  Vampires were reclining on
most of them and nearly every one of them had a slave or two reclining on the
floor beside them.  She glanced upward.  The large room was in the
very center of the castle, and she could see some of the human slaves wandering
through the open hallways of the upper level.

A female vampire,
her upper half completely bare except for thick gold chains layered carefully
around her neck, smiled at Val and Faren as they walked by.  Her slave, a
short, blond man, was staring worshipfully at her and she tugged absentmindedly
at his collar as they passed.  He ducked his head eagerly under her skirt
and buried his face between her legs.  Abby, her eyes wide, stared in
shock and the female vampire grinned at her before Val tugged her forward.

They were
nearly to the middle of the room now and she watched as a tall, lean vampire
rose languidly from a large couch and moved toward them.  He almost seemed
to float and she took a calming breath as he stopped in front of them.

He had long
black hair and light green eyes and he was, she admitted to herself, absolutely
gorgeous.  His features were delicate, almost feminine and his pale skin
was a startling contrast to his black hair.

Val’s hand
tightened on her wrist before he spoke, “Good evening, Darius.  It is a
pleasure to finally meet you.”

Darius studied
him for a moment.  “You are Joven?”  His voice was low and musical
and a shiver went down Abigail’s back.  Violet was hidden deep within her
hair and she could feel the pixie’s wings fluttering lightly against her scalp.

“I
am.”  Val said simply.  “This is a friend, Faren.”

Faren bowed
slightly.  Darius gave him a disinterested glance before returning his
gaze to Val.

“You look
different than what I pictured.”  He said thoughtfully.  “From the
tales I have heard, I expected someone more,” he paused, “brutish-looking.”

Val didn’t
reply and Abby quickly dropped her gaze to the floor as Darius turned toward
her.  “And who is this lovely creature?”

He stepped
closer and she willed herself to stay still when he picked up a strand of her
dark hair and rubbed it through his pale fingers.

“She’s my
slave.”  Val said bluntly.

“You
brought only one?”  Darius asked.

“I thought
it best to travel light.  I did not believe it would be wise to draw
attention to myself.”  Val answered.

Darius
traced his finger along her neck.  “A slave without a collar.  How
strange.”

He circled
around her, frowning slightly before bending down and examining the scars on
her back.  “What a shame that such loveliness is ruined by this ugliness.”

He touched
the cross on her back.  “Did she do this herself?”

“I don’t
know.  I haven’t asked.”  Val replied.

He rested
his hand on her shoulder and stared at Val.  “You do not strike me as the
type who would allow your slave to go without a collar.”

Val just
shrugged, his nostrils flaring when Darius stepped closer to Abigail.

“I have
many slaves but I am always looking for fresh blood.  If your master does
not care enough about you to mark you with his collar, perhaps you would like
to wear mine?”  Darius smiled at Abby. 

He leaned
in and inhaled deeply against Abigail’s neck.  “You smell delicious,
lovely one.  I bet you taste delicious.  I look forward to finding
out for myself.”

Abigail
stiffened and raised her eyes to Val.  He shook his head and she gritted
her teeth and forced herself to stay still as Darius ran his hand down her
waist to her hip. 

“So
lovely.”  He whispered distractedly.

Without
warning, his hand slid under her skirt between her thighs and cupped her bare
sex.  Abigail cried out with surprise and anger and twisted out of his
grip.  She turned and raised her hand to strike his coldly-handsome
face.  Before she could land the blow, Val had caught her arm.  He
yanked her away and then his hand was on the back of her neck and he was forcing
her to her knees.  She squirmed and his hand tightened until she gasped
angrily.

Darius
raised his eyebrows at Val.  “You would allow your slave to strike me
after I open my home to you, after I offer you the chance to participate in my
business venture?”

Val shook
his head as he fought to keep himself from tearing Darius’ throat out. 
“Of course not.  She will be punished appropriately.”

“Will
she?”  Darius said softly.  He stared at Abigail and she gave him a
look of fury before Val forced her head lower until she was staring at the
floor.

“Forgive
her impertinence, Darius.”  Val said quietly.  “I have only just
purchased her and she still has much to learn.”

“Indeed.” 
Darius replied.

He stared
thoughtfully at Val.  “You are not at all how I expected, Joven.  In
fact, I am starting to wonder if –“

“Joven! 
My old friend!  It is wonderful to see you again.”

Val, his
hand still holding Abby firmly in place, turned to see a silver-haired vampire
heading toward him.  He grunted with surprise when the vampire embraced
him firmly and breathed into his ear.  “Jaxen.”

“It is good
to see you as well, Jaxen.”  Val said smoothly as the old vampire smiled
delightedly at him.

“How was
your trip?  It went well, I trust?”

“Yes. 
A bit on the long side.”  Val replied.

“You must
be tired from your journey.  Darius, shall I show Joven and his friend to
their rooms?  I imagine they would like to bathe and rest before
dinner.”  Jaxen smiled at Darius who nodded and stepped back as Val lifted
Abigail easily to her feet.

“Excellent. 
Follow me, please.”  Jaxen started towards a door at the far side of the
room. 

Faren gave
another short bow and winked at a female slave who was staring shyly at him
from a chaise to his right before trailing after Jaxen.

“Darius.” 
Val nodded politely and, still holding Abigail firmly around the back of the
neck, followed Jaxen and Faren out of the room.

“My
lord.”  Tavien stood next to Darius.

“What is
it?”

“He looks
familiar to me.”

“The Lord
Joven?”  Darius raised his eyebrow at Tavien.

“Yes.”

“You have
never been east before.  How would you have met him?”  Darius
questioned.

Tavien
rubbed distractedly at the birthmark on his cheek.  “I have never met the
Lord Joven.  I am sure of that.”

“And yet he
looks familiar to you.”

“Yes. 
Are you sure that he is who he claims to be, my lord?”  Tavien asked.

“No,
Tavien.  I am not.”  Darius said quietly.

After
showing Faren to his room, Jaxen led Val and Abby down one of the many corridors
in the castle.  They followed him into a large and luxuriously decorated
bedroom and he shut the door firmly.

“Who are
you?  What – “

Before Val
could finish, Abigail had squirmed out of his grip and launched herself at
Jaxen.  She hugged him fiercely and kissed him on the cheek as he smiled
at her.  “I see your plan to become Joven’s slave worked.”

“Oh,
Jaxen.”  Abby kissed his cheek again.  “I’m so happy to see
you.  We didn’t know if you received our last message with our plan or
not.”

“I did and
I promptly sent back a reply letting you know just how foolish I thought the
plan was.”  Jaxen said sternly.  “Yet you ignored it.”

“We didn’t
receive it.”  Abigail said earnestly.

Jaxen gave
her a suspicious look before putting his arm around her waist and squeezing
affectionately.  “I believe you.  Although I am curious as to what
happened to the actual Joven.”

“I killed
him.”  Val said bluntly.

Jaxen
raised his eyebrow.  “Oh?  Why?”

“Because he
tried to take what is mine.”  Val’s eyes dropped to Jaxen’s hand resting
on Abby’s hip and Jaxen chuckled loudly.

“I can
assure you that you have nothing to worry about.  In fact, my tastes run
more toward someone such as yourself.”

Abigail
grinned as Val gave Jaxen an uncertain look before colour rose in his pale cheeks. 
She kissed Jaxen’s cheek again and smiled at him.

“This is
Val.  He’s,” she paused, “an old friend.”

Jaxen gave
Val a considering look before holding his hand out.  “It’s nice to meet
you, Val.  You are a long way from home.”

“No further
than you, I imagine.”  Val said guardedly.

“Perhaps.” 
The old vampire grunted with surprise when Abigail’s hair moved and Violet
poked her head out.

“Why do you
have a pixie hidden in your hair, Abigail?”  Jaxen asked with a touch of
amusement.

“Her name
is Violet.  She was rejected by her own kind after her voice was stolen
from her.  I rescued her from a spider’s web.”

Ignoring
Jaxen completely, Violet wriggled free of Abigail’s hair and flew to Val. 
She kissed him lightly on the cheek and he reached into his pocket and pulled
out a piece of dried meat.  He handed it to her and she kissed him again
before flying off to the windowsill.  She sat on the sill and stared out
into the darkness as she ate the meat delicately.

Jaxen, the
look of amusement still on his face, watched her until Abigail tugged anxiously
at his arm.

“Jaxen, do
you know where Michael is?  Is he – “

Jaxen
clapped his hands together briskly.  “Before we talk about Michael, we
must discuss what needs to change in order for you to convince Darius that
you,” he looked at Val, “are indeed Joven, and you, “he stared sternly at Abby,
“are nothing more than a smitten slave girl.”

Abby
frowned.  “What are you talking about?  I didn’t – “

“Be quiet
and listen to me, Abby.”  Jaxen interrupted sternly.  “Where is the
collar that marks you as Joven’s slave?”

“I can’t
wear that thing.”  Abby protested.

“You can
and you will.”  Jaxen scowled at her.  “One, the real Joven would
never allow his slave to go without a collar and two, it will provide you with
a measure of protection from the other vampires.  You will wear it,
Abigail.”

“Fine.” 
She muttered sullenly.

Jaxen
turned to Val.  “Darius may not know Joven but he knows the rumours. 
He was right – Joven is brutal.  He’s also unforgiving and much smarter
than he looks.  He has no love for humans and he is not known for his
compassion.  He cares about himself and no other.  Do you
understand?”

Val nodded
and Jaxen studied him closely.  “If you are to convince Darius that you
are Joven you must hide your affection for the humans.”

“I have no
affection for the humans.”  Val growled.

“Do you
not?”  Jaxen raised his eyebrow at him before glancing at Abigail. 
“Darius has a more liberal policy with his slaves.  It is not uncommon for
his men to share the slaves.  You must be prepared that – “

“No one
else is touching her.”  Val snapped.  “I will kill any who tries.”

“Yes, you
have no affection for the humans.”  Jaxen said dryly.

“Jaxen,”
Abigail said impatiently, “does Michael – does he still live?”

Jaxen
nodded.  “He does.  He has fought in over a dozen fights. 
Darius is quite fond of his fighting style and he uses him often.”

Abigail
sighed with relief as Jaxen walked toward the door.  “It will be difficult
to rescue him, Abigail.  In all truthfulness, I fear there is very little
chance that any of us will make it out of here alive.”

He gave
them a weary look.  “Dinner will be served in an hour.  There will be
food for those of us who still like to pretend we are human, as well as a
variety of slaves to taste.”

He gave Val
a solemn look.  “I would suggest that you sample a few of the
slaves.  It will look strange if Joven does not.”

* * *

“Violet, I
want you to stay in the room.  Do you understand?”  Abigail had made
a bed for the pixie from a pillowcase and a small basket and Violet yawned and
nodded as she burrowed under the pillowcase.  Abby stroked the pixie’s
soft hair before she completely hid herself away and then turned to Val.

“Are you
ready?”  She stared expectantly at Val who was stretched out on the bed.

He
stood.  “I am.”

She walked
to the door, tugging nervously at her too-short skirt as Val rummaged through
one of their bags.

“Abigail.”

A scowl crossed
her face at the collar Val was holding.

“You heard
what Jaxen said.”

“Yes, I
did.”  She snapped.  She stomped over to him and turned away before
lifting her hair.  Her entire body was trembling and he placed a soft kiss
on the back of her neck.  She jerked in surprise and turned her head to
glare at him.

“Stop
it.  You are not to touch me, remember?”

Without
replying, he slid the collar around her neck and buckled it at the back. 
The leather was cool against her skin and she tugged lightly at it.

“Is it too
tight, little dove?”  Val murmured.

She shook
her head before taking a deep breath and turning to face him.  “Well, what
do you think?  Do I look the part now?”  She asked bitterly as she
stared at the floor.

He didn’t
reply and after a few seconds she glanced at him.  Her breath caught in
her throat and she could feel her nipples hardening against the thin fabric of
her top in response to the look on Val’s face.  Her hands were shaking and
she clutched them together against her midsection.  Val was giving her an
almost feral look of lust and need and she took a nervous step backwards.

“Don’t look
at me like that, Val.”  She whispered.

His
nostrils flared angrily.  “So not only am I not allowed to touch you, I am
not allowed to look at you?  Is that what you’re saying?”

She shook
her head.  “No, I just – “

She gasped
with shock when he moved towards her with lightning speed and crushed her
against his body.  She could feel his erection pressing against her and she
moaned softly when he threaded his hand in her hair and pulled her head back.

“You have
no idea, little dove,” he whispered raggedly, “how difficult it is for me not
to bend you over that bed, lift your skirt and fuck you senseless.”

He inhaled
deeply and a tight grin crossed his face.  “Your pussy is wet.  I can
smell your need.  Perhaps you enjoy wearing my collar.”

“I
don’t.”  She whispered.  She could have kicked herself at how weak
she sounded.

He grinned
again and she shuddered against him when his other hand gripped her ass through
her skirt.  “You have never looked more beautiful to me than you do in
this moment.  Never before have I considered keeping a human as a pet but
for you, I would make an exception.”

“How
sweet.”  She muttered.

He squeezed
her ass and she inhaled sharply.  “You were meant to wear my collar,
Abigail.”

“It’s not
your collar.  It’s Joven’s, remember?”  She replied.

“I
remember.  I will make certain to act exactly as Joven would act.”

“What’s
that supposed to mean?”  She frowned at him.

“Do you
understand how strange Darius will find it if I do not feed from you?”  He
asked softly.

She
stiffened against him.  “You can tell him you’ve already fed from me.”

He didn’t
reply and she gave him a hard look.  “Tell him that you don’t like to feed
in front of others.”

“He will
not believe that.”

“
Make
him believe it.”  She hissed.

“You would
risk saving your precious Michael just to keep me from biting you?  You
used to beg me to bite you.  Have you forgotten –“

“Don’t,
Val!”  Abby snapped.  “Don’t you dare try and make me feel
guilty.  We can rescue Michael without you feeding from me.”

He glared
at her.  “If you had been taken as a slave by the real Joven, he would be
feeding from you.”

“No, he
wouldn’t.”  She replied stubbornly.

He snorted
in frustration.  “Do you have any idea how foolish you sound?”

“I would
have figured something out.”  She insisted.  She knew exactly how
stupid she sounded but she carried on gamely.  “I wouldn’t have let Joven
feed from me.”

“Bullshit.” 
He snapped.

She pushed
away from him and crossed her arms over her chest.  “It doesn’t
matter.  Joven’s not here, you are.  And I will not allow you to feed
from me.”

“Allow
me?”  Val arched his eyebrow at her and she took a step back at the dark
look of anger on his face.  “You and I both know I could easily feed from
you if I wanted to.”

“I would
never forgive you for that.”  She replied softly.  She was giving him
a look of sorrow mixed with pain and his anger deflated.

She was
speaking the truth.  If he fed from her without her permission, any type
of love she might feel for him would disappear.  He would lose her and her
love forever.

So you
love her now?  You once swore that Karena would be your only love. 
Have you forgotten her so quickly?

He closed
his eyes and took a deep breath.  He didn’t love Abigail.  He wanted
her, he desired her and he would let no other touch her, but it wasn’t
love.  It was infatuation, nothing else.

How
easily you deceive yourself.

He rubbed
at his forehead wearily and stalked toward the door.  “Let’s go, Abigail.”

“Val – “

She was
giving him a look of distrust and he shook his head.  “I will not take
your blood.”